International Day of the Girl Child – Empowering Girls for a Sustainable Future Amid Climate Change Challenges

By Doreen Mennom Oho

Technical Programs Lead, DEAN

On the 11th of October every year, the International Day of the Girl is celebrated around the world to honour the incredible potential of girls, to support their rights, and to break down the walls that impede their progress. This global day for girls highlights the importance of ensuring that girls are empowered to participate fully in social, economic, and political spheres of life. By investing in girls, we are investing in the future! Have you ever heard the saying “Educate a girl, educate a nation”? Yes! With the right tools and opportunities Girls can become global entrepreneurs, leaders of multinational companies, political leaders, environmental advocates, and agents of change in their communities.

In commemoration of the day, the Development of Educational Action Network (DEAN Initiative) celebrated with the girls of Holy Rosary College, in Dupka community Gwagwalada Area Council Abuja. The event held on the 11th of October, 2024 focused on the year’s theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future”. We held a 2-hour activity, observing the day with the girls by enlightening them on girl’s actions for a sustainable planet. The girls participated in group discussions, video presentations, recycling activities, and environmental stewardship sensitization as part of the lined-up activities for the day. These activities encouraged them to take up an active role in building a sustainable planet while addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.

Empowering Girls in the Face of Climate Change

One of the most critical issues facing girls today, especially those in vulnerable communities like northern Nigeria is the impact of climate change. One could ask how is climate change related to girls. Certainly, climate change impacts are not merely limited to the ecological consequences of the environment but also they are woven into societal issues such as education, gender inequality, and economic opportunities. The Lake Chad region stands out as the most affected place; data from the World Bank shows that the region has experienced a dramatic 90% reduction in its size since the 1960s due to the impacts of climate change, including unsustainable water use, and environmental degradation. This crisis has devastated livelihoods, worsened food insecurity, and displaced millions of people across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

For young girls inhabiting this area, the consequences of climate change are very serious. Normally, as droughts, desertification, floods, and unpredictable rainfall patterns become more common, girls are mostly ousted from schools to assist their families in coping with the crisis. In the northern part of Nigeria, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin, climate change has worsened poverty and social challenges, making girls more vulnerable to early marriage, exploitation, and displacement. According to UNICEF, 44% of girls in northern Nigeria get married before the age of 18, and this figure rises even higher during periods of environmental stress such as flood, when economic survival takes precedence over education.

DEAN Initiative’s Action for a Sustainable Future

In response to these challenges, DEAN Initiative’s International Day of the Girl Child event aimed to empower girls with the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders in the fight against climate change. The event opened with Mr. TaiyeOjo, the programs officer who introduced the students to DEAN’s mission, interventions, and the significance of the International Day of the Girl Child. He spoke on how the theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” ties into the global movement for girl empowerment.

Following this, our Communications Officer Dorcas Mokikan led an engaging session titled “Exploring and Breaking the Limitations of Girls to Maximize Their Potential.” Through group discussions incorporating system thinking and design thinking, the girls explored ways to overcome societal limitations and embrace their roles as future leaders. A fun music video, “Shooting Star” by Maryam Ahmed, added an inspiring and joyful energy to the event.

A critical segment of the program was led by Doreen Mennom Oho the Technical Programs Lead, who focused on “Girls’ Action for a Sustainable Planet.”This session empowered the girls to understand how they can become environmental stewards and protect their future from the devastating impacts of climate change. The girls brainstormed challenges they face in their communities and envisioned ways to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Our Administrative officer Faith Ejemen Oamen took the girls on a hands-on recycling activity session. She taught the girls how to repurpose plastic waste into useful items like wallets, tables, and ornamental decorations, demonstrating the practical steps they can take to combat environmental degradation.

The Importance of Immediate Action

The need to address climate change and its impact on girls cannot be overstated. If we fail to act now, the long-term consequences will be devastating, not only for the girls affected but for the entire region. Empowering girls to become leaders in climate action is essential to building resilient communities capable of adapting to environmental challenges.

By empowering girls, investing in their education, and creating opportunities for them to engage in sustainable practices, we can help them break cycles of vulnerability, allowing them to fulfil their full potential as change makers. As the future leaders of our society, they also hold the key to creating lasting solutions for climate adaptation and resilience.

Recommendations and Call to Action

To address the challenges facing girls in Nigeria, especially in the context of climate change, we recommend the following:

  1. Invest in Climate-Resilient Education: Address Climate Imperatives through education, and integrate climate change education and sustainability practices in the curriculum. Let young people lead environmental action in their communities, and meticulously implement systems in place to equip them with the skills needed to do so.
  2. Enforce Legal Protections Against Child Marriage: Strengthening and enforcing laws against child marriage, especially in climate-affected regions, is crucial. Providing economic and educational support to families can go a long way in preventing the exploitation of young girls during times of crisis.
  3. Increase Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: The scarcity of water is a major driver of school dropout rates for girls. Investing in clean water infrastructure will reduce this burden and keep girls in school, where they belong.
  4. Support Climate-Resilient Livelihoods: Investing in alternative livelihoods, such as climate-smart agriculture and green energy, will reduce the pressure on families to resort to harmful practices like child marriage.
  5. Strengthen Support for Displaced Girls: Internally displaced girls need special protections and resources. Creating safe spaces and providing educational support in IDP camps will help mitigate the risks of exploitation and ensure that girls can continue their education.

Conclusion: Girls as Climate Leaders

On this International Day of the Girl Child, we must recognize that the fight for gender justice and the fight against climate change are deeply intertwined. Empowering girls is not only essential for gender justice it is key to building a more sustainable, resilient future for everyone.

Let’s continue to support and uplift our girls because when girls rise, we all rise. By taking urgent action to address the challenges posed by climate change, we can ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive, lead, and create a better world for generations to come.

Call to Action: Join the move to empower girls by promoting climate action programs in your communities. Stand for policies that protect young girls, fund their education, and create sustainable opportunities that build resilience in the face of climate change. Together, we can build a future where every girl has the chance to thrive.

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